34% voted for a party positive towards internationals
Last Week in Denmark (22.03-29.03) Episode 11 Year 6
What did we learn this week?
New Parliament is the youngest (average age 43.9 ) and the most gender equal (48% women) in Danish history.
Neither of the two sides secured enough votes for a majority, so Moderaterne will decide who gets to govern. If no decision can be reached, new elections will be organized.
For 16 years in a row, Denmark also ended 2025 with a budget surplus of 88,5 billion DKK, totaling 1 trillion DKK surplus since 2010.
Letter from the editor
Want some good news? 34% of eligible voters supported a party positive towards internationals, while only 17.3% voted for a far-right, anti-internationals party.
From our perspective, the result of the parliamentary elections is a positive one. Relative to today, there is a chance, there will be not one but four parties supporting internationals, to form a government with Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats). If only Moderaterne (Social Liberals) would solve their beef with Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance), then we could truly celebrate a period of progress for our situation in the next four years.
To be honest, a Red-Purple government (left-wing parties plus Moderaterne) or a Red-Purple-Blue government (left-wing and right-wing parties plus Moderaterne), would both be net positive for us. The worst that can happen is to have elections again.
We may not realize it yet, but the war in Iran is actually affecting the world economy on a scale similar to the pandemic, and unfortunately, prices are likely to keep rising in the coming months. Guess who benefited from the spike in gasoline prices? DF (Nationalist Conservative). They tripled their support in a matter of weeks, boosted by a campaign to lower gasoline prices (with a little help from the Facebook algorithm), and their leader got the most personal votes in the entire country.
Another election in June could be devastating for us, as the tone will get even worse, amid the international unrest. DD (Nationalist Populist) lost momentum and could escalate the whole “let’s push internationals to the brink” to another level to regain relevance. Not only that, but the more moderate blue parties could be pushed into more extreme positions on internationals, seeing how popular DF has suddenly become.
Let’s hope they find agreement quickly. Otherwise my advice to you is this: don’t ignore the risk of an eventual repeat of the parliamentary elections. Look, I get it. Many of us simply do not have the time or energy to get involved in public life. Between work that often stretches beyond hours, family responsibilities, and trying to maintain some form of social life, there is very little left.
However, for our sake and our children’s, we must all get involved. You can only get so far by hoping others will fix it or that time will take care of it. For the price of a few hours, you can change the outcome of an election. So when needed, do not hesitate to answer the call.
To end on the same positive note we started, I can already see multiple initiatives from internationals trying to have a bigger impact on the society around us. Like for example the platform Our Voice launched by Simone Uggeri.
There is hope.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID
Our long-form articles this week…
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Image(s) of the Week
📸Pictures from Election Night. See here how each party received their results.
Danish Politics HQ
Political scene
Parliamentary election results (out of 179 mandates total; % change since 2022 election)
Red (left-wing) parties:
Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) 21.8% (38 mandates; -5.7%)
SF (Green Left) 11.6% (20 mandates; +3.3%)
Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) 6.3% (11 mandates; +1.2%)
Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) 5.8% (10 mandates; +2%)
Alternativet (Greens) 2.6% (5 mandates; -0.7%)
Total: 84 mandates.
Blue (right-wing) parties:
Venstre (Liberals) 10.1% (18 mandates; -3.2%)
Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative) 9.4% (16 mandates; +1.5%)
DF (Nationalist Conservative) 9.1% (16 mandates, +6.5%)
Konservative (Conservatives) 7.6% (13 mandates; +2.1%)
DD (Nationalist Populist) 5.8% (10 mandates; -2.3%)
Total: 73 mandates.
Purple (center) parties:
Moderaterne (Social Liberals) 7.7% (14 mandates; -1.6%)
Anti-system parties:
Borgernes Parti (Anti-Establishment; Far-right) 2.1% (4 mandates)
🏛️ Government coalition suffers historic election loss. The Socialdemokratiet, Venstre, and Moderaterne coalition lost 19 seats compared to 2022 and now hold only 70 mandates, marking one of the worst results for a sitting government since 1973. Voters never fully accepted the cooperation between traditional rivals, especially after controversial reforms.
Socialdemokratiet recorded its worst result since 1903, while Venstre dropped to its lowest level ever. Both parties lost significant support across the country and now face internal pressure to rethink their political direction. The election signals a major shift away from the dominance of the traditional power parties.
Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s party went slightly backwards but now holds the balance of power with 14 seats, as neither left nor right bloc has a majority. This gives Moderaterne a decisive role in forming the next government. Løkke Rasmussen now finds himself in the central position he has aimed for since founding the party.
📈 DF stages major comeback. DF increased its vote share three times compared to last elections, recovering from its near-collapse in 2022. The party gained support across all constituencies and is now one of the biggest winners of the election. Its leader has positioned the party as a strong opponent to any government involving Moderaterne.
🌱 SF becomes second-largest party for the first time. SF achieved its best result in nearly 20 years and is now the second-largest party in Parliament. The party aims to translate this momentum into government participation. Its rise reflects growing support, especially among younger and climate-focused voters.
🧩 Record fragmentation makes government formation harder. All 12 parties on the ballot crossed the 2% threshold and entered Parliament, which hasn’t happened since 1953. With many mid-sized parties and no clear majority, forming a stable government will be more complex. Negotiations will now determine who becomes prime minister.
🏛️ Government talks begin after election. Mette Frederiksen has invited seven parties across political blocs to start negotiations on forming a new government. The meetings begin this week and will continue over the coming days, with no clear outcome yet.
👩⚖️ Younger women reshape parliament. The new parliament now has a record 48% women and the lowest average age ever at 43.9 years old, with several young women in their early 20s entering politics. Candidates like 23-year-old Sofie Therese Svendsen (the youngest member of the Parliament) highlight a shift towards younger representation.
Latest on the Faroe Islands
🐟 Faroe Islands push for independence faces fishing dilemma. Growing support for more independence is driven by a desire to control the economy and make international agreements without Denmark, especially in the fishing sector, which makes up 95% of Faroese exports. However, continued cooperation with Russia on fishing rights could create political tension with Denmark and the EU. Experts warn that the more independent the Faroe Islands become, the harder it may be to balance economic interests with geopolitical expectations.
🗳️ Conservatives win Faroe Islands election and eye power shift. The party Fólkaflokkurin secured 9 out of 33 seats, making it the largest party and putting 29-year-old leader Beinir Johannesen in a strong position to become the youngest prime minister ever. The result reflects gains for parties favoring more independence, while the previous governing party lost support. Coalition talks will now decide the final government, with both narrow and broad alliances on the table.
🗳️ Young voters shake up Faroe Islands politics with historic result. 20-year-old Bjørg Brynhildardóttir from the independence party Tjóðveldi became the youngest ever elected member of parliament and one of the top vote-getters, outperforming her party leader. Her campaign focused on giving young people a stronger voice and addressing issues like equality and opportunities. The result highlights a clear generational shift, with youth turnout and influence playing a decisive role in the election outcome.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🌊 Massive seabed extraction for construction is damaging marine life. Around 14 million cubic meters of sand and gravel were taken from the seabed around Denmark in 2024 alone, equivalent to 700,000 truckloads, as demand for infrastructure and building projects grows. Experts warn this process removes habitats for fish and marine ecosystems already under pressure. Several actors now urge the next government to finally deliver a national raw materials strategy to reduce environmental impact and rethink how building materials are sourced.
🐷 Pigs have become a political symbol in modern debates. While pork production was once a unifying source of national pride linking farmers and workers, it is now a dividing issue tied to animal welfare and the environment. Debates over farming practices and cultural issues like serving pork in public institutions have increasingly split political sides. Today, positions on pork often signal broader views on agriculture and what “Danish culture” means.
🥪 Smørrebrød is being rebranded as the “real” national dish. A new book argues that the classic open sandwich better represents food culture than stegt flæsk, highlighting its deep roots from Viking times to modern restaurants. After decades of decline in the 1960s and 70s, smørrebrød has seen a revival since the 2000s, with higher quality and renewed interest from both chefs and diners. Today, it remains a staple for both locals and visitors, mixing tradition with modern twists.
🍰 Veteran pastry chef wins national title after 40 years. Allan Colding-Andersen was named Denmark’s best confectioner for the first time, despite decades in the industry and never competing before. He impressed judges with a complex set of creations including a wedding cake and a 60 cm edible sculpture. The win marks a milestone in a long career.
📚 Books are becoming a fashion statement as much as a pastime. Celebrities and luxury brands are increasingly using books as visual props, turning reading into a symbol of intelligence and identity in a screen-heavy world. Social media trends and aesthetic book covers have helped boost the popularity of physical books again. Some critics say it is more about image than reading, but others argue it still helps bring literature back to the fore.
💇 Men’s hairstyles are shifting towards longer, retro looks. Influenced by celebrities, short fades are losing popularity as styles like mullets and 70s-inspired cuts gain traction. Hairdressers say more men are embracing personal style and are willing to spend more time on styling. The trend reflects a broader move towards individuality, where standing out matters more than following traditional grooming norms.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💰 Public finances outperform expectations year after year. The state recorded a surplus of 88.5 billion DKK in 2025, far above forecasts, marking 16 consecutive years where the economy did better than predicted, adding up to around 1 trillion DKK in extra funds since 2010. Economists say this gives strong financial flexibility for crises or one-off spending, but the government now plans to reduce the surplus through tax cuts and higher spending.
⛽ The central bank warns against cutting fuel taxes despite political promises. The central bank says lowering taxes on petrol and diesel or reducing VAT on food could fuel inflation and undermine the green transition, especially as energy prices remain volatile. It also stresses that many election promises, including pension changes, would require funding elsewhere as public spending has already increased significantly, including on defense. The message to politicians is simple: spend carefully and only introduce targeted, temporary support if needed.
📈 Inflation could spike to 4.5% if energy crisis worsens. A new forecast warns that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could push oil and gas prices higher, leading to broader price increases across the economy, although the main expectation remains a more moderate 1.8% inflation this year. The economy is still considered strong, with rising employment and wages, but growth may slow slightly. The key concern is whether rising energy costs start spreading into everyday prices again.
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Denmark in Global Headlines
📉 “Denmark election: far right slowed under Frederiksen, but at what cost?” – The Guardian
🇺🇸 “Denmark turns its back on ‘bully’ Trump” – The Telegraph
💣 “Denmark sent explosives to Greenland runways amid Trump invasion fears” – Sky News
⚽ “Denmark’s World Cup bid gains new meaning after Trump’s Greenland focus” – CNN